Hot tubs and spas in Tulare are 'swimming pools' under Cal. Health & Safety Code § 115921 and normally require the same 60-inch enclosure as a pool. BUT Cal. HSC § 115925 exempts 'hot tubs or spas with locking safety covers that comply with the ASTM International F1346 standard' from the Swimming Pool Safety Act's fencing/alarm requirements. A building permit is still required for electrical and structural work.
Cal. Health & Safety Code § 115921(a) folds hot tubs, spas, and portable spas into the pool definition when water exceeds 18 inches deep. Section 115925 then carves out an exemption: a spa with a locking safety cover meeting ASTM F1346 is exempt from §§ 115922–115924 fencing/alarm rules. Tulare Code § 10.16.160 mirrors this by allowing 'structures' (including the spa shell and locking cover) to serve as the enclosure when approved by the building inspector. A building permit is still required for the spa pad, electrical hookup (240V GFCI typically), and gas line if heated by natural gas. Setbacks under Tulare Title 10 still apply. Cal. HSC § 115928 anti-entrapment suction outlet rules apply to new spa installations.
Spa without an ASTM F1346 locking cover AND without a 60-inch barrier violates Cal. HSC § 115922 and Tulare Code § 10.16.160. Electrical work without a permit violates Tulare Title 15 (CBC/CEC adoption) and may void homeowner's insurance.
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